Machine tool for cutting processes with a horizontally lodged work spindle

ABSTRACT

A machine tool for the cutting process of work pieces and having at least one horizontally lodged work spindle, preferably for high speed and/or high precision processing. The work spindle displaces on and/or inside a frame-like tool carrier vertically placed on a machine support having slides moving along x-, y- and z-axes. According to the invention, the frame-like tool carrier ( 3 ) has an associated frame-like work piece holder ( 2 ), which is also placed vertically on the machine support ( 1 ). The work piece holder ( 2 ) and the tool carrier ( 3 ) are interconnected as one single stable unit by one or several connecting elements ( 8 ) in the area of their upper horizontal traverse ( 4, 6 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine tool for the cutting process of workpieces, having at least one horizontally lodged work spindle, preferablyfor high speed and/or high precision processing, with the work spindlebeing able to be moved on and/or inside a frame-like tool carriervertically placed on a machine support having slides moving along x-,y-, and z-axes.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,668 is a generic machine tool wherein thetool carrier is vertically placed on a machine support and wherein thehorizontally lodged spindle can be moved in the x and y-direction. Thework piece holder is also placed on the machine support and can bedisplaced in z-direction and be turned around a vertical axis, too.Mobility of the work spindle in z-direction is not feasible and/or notprovided for therein.

EP-0 232 548 A2 describes a processing station, particularly forcomparably large work pieces, equipped with a processing unit preferablyhaving a laser, wherein the processing unit is also lodged at aframe-like vertical support post and can be moved in x-, y-, andz-direction,

On certain applications, e.g. on high-speed and/or high-precisionprocessing, it became evident that high acceleration and processingforces act on the tool carrier when the processing unit is moved inz-direction. On processing it might lead to inaccuracies, and it callsfor a very stable and expensive design and construction of the toolcarrier, particularly if the work space is very large and if the feedforward speed and/or acceleration rate are very fast. Moreover,substantial displacement between tool side and work piece side hasfrequently become evident in processing centers known thus far, due toinvolvement of coolants, different coolant temperatures, and changes inhall temperature.

Known from DE 38 32 975 C1 is a multiple-spindle autolathe with aframe-like casing consisting of a bottom machine bed, a spindle postwith a controllable spindle drum, a drive post for the drives of theprocessing tools and a top traverse between spindle post and drive post.The work space is interspersed by a central pipe on which a longitudinalslide block is placed and which rests supported in the spindle drum onthe one hand and in the drive post on the other hand.

Mobility of the spindle by the aid of x-, y-, and z-slides is notprovided for hereunder. Moreover only relatively small work pieces canbe processed.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is the primary task ofthe present invention to propose ageneric machine tool which does not pose these problems and which allowsfor an exact positioning of the processing unit in relation to the workpiece.

The solution to this task is attained by a frame type tool carrier and aframe type workpiece holder mounted on a support. A connection bar ormeans connects the workpiece holder to the tool carrier to form a singlestable unit.

According to the invention a vertical, frame-like tool carrier ismounted on the support. In parallel with the tool carrier and onopposite site of the support is placed a vertical frame-like work pieceholder or carrier. Upper basically equally high horizontal traverses ofthese carriers are connected through one or several preferablyhorizontal connecting bars and/or means to form a stable unit. Thus aframe-like structure is created in a z-direction, which preventsrelative movement between the work piece holder and the tool carriereven if high acceleration and processing forces are applied. At the sametime it makes a precise positioning between tool and work piecefeasible. The work piece holder may also be shaped like a frame in thex- and y-directions, similar to the tool carrier, so that the work pieceis positioned inside the frame in an easy and simple manner. The workpiece can be moved through the frame in z-direction and, if required, betransported into or out of the machine tool in the x- or y-direction.

The connecting bar or means between the tool carrier and the work pieceholder may be placed particularly off center, such as at one of thelongitudinal sides or at both, so that the space directly over the pointof processing remains free, for example to load and unload the workpiece. A unilateral eccentric arrangement of a connecting means may bearthe advantage that better access to the processing space or room is thenpossible or allowed from the opposite side.

The connecting bar or means may also be shaped like a fork, with twolegs of the fork attacking at the upper end of the vertical side postsof the tool carrier or work piece holder and with the opposite leg beingconnected with an upper traverse of the work piece holder an or toolcarrier. Layouts adapted to the size and shape of work pieces, toolchanging equipment and to other requirements are also possible andincluded.

For example, to be able to process work pieces in z-directionsimultaneously from both sides, it is also feasible under this inventionto place tool carriers at both sides of a work piece holder, where thetool carriers are connected via connecting means to the work pieceholder.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a connecting means between the work piece holder andthe tool carrier, and lodged on a machine support post;

FIG. 2 is a detail view ofthe work piece holder with a fork-likeconnecting means affixed to the work piece holder;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the tool carrier;

FIG. 4 is a view of the equipment allowing for mobility of work thespindle at the tool carrier;

FIG. 5 is a view of two connecting means between two work piece holdersand the tool carrier, and lodged on a machine support post.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a machinesupport post 1 includes a tool carrier 3 consisting of vertical sidecheeks 5 and horizontal traverses 4. In parallel with the tool carrier3, on the opposite side of the support post 1, a work piece holder 2formed by vertical supports 7 and upper traverses 6 is provided. Thehorizontal traverse 4 and the upper traverse 6 are interconnected via aconnection bar or means 8.

Pursuant to FIG. 2 the connection means is of a fork-like shape andaffixed with one leg 8 c at the upper traverse 6. Ends of the two legs 8a and 8 b are connectable with the horizontal traverse 4. In conformitywith ambient circumstances and strength requirements, leg 8 c may beaffixed centrally or eccentrically or at one end of traverse 6.

FIG. 4 shows how the work spindle 15 can be moved in a plurality ofsubstantially orthogonal directions inside the frame-like tool carrier3. To this effect, a frame-like X-slide 10 is at first movable inX-direction in horizontal guides 9, as indicated by the axes in thefigures. Additionally a Y-slide 12 which is also shaped like a frame canbe moved at vertical guides 11 in the Y-direction. Moreover thesleeve-like Z-slide 14 with its integrated motor work spindle 15 can bemoved in Z-direction in horizontal guides 13. Tool carrier 3, X-slide 10and Y-slide 12 may be of a hollow construction and be provided with aclosed-circuit cooling.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with another tool carrier 3′ mounted on thesupport 1 on a side of the work piece holder 2 opposite the tool carrier3. Another connection 8′ connects the workpiece holder 2 to the anothertool carrier 3′ to form said single stable unit.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool for cutting of a workpiece, the toolcomprising: a support; a tool carrier mounted on said support; a workspindle connected to said tool carrier; a plurality of slides movablyconnecting said work spindle to said tool carrier in a plurality ofsubstantially orthogonal directions; a workpiece holder mounted on saidsupport; a connection rigidly connecting said workpiece holder to saidtool carrier to fix said tool carrier and said workpiece holder togetherin a single stable unit.
 2. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein:said tool carrier and said workpiece holder each have a traverse elementwhich is substantially parallel to said support, said traverse elementsare positioned on a side of respective said tool carrier and saidworkpiece opposite to said support; said connection connects saidtraverse elements of said tool carrier and said workpiece holder.
 3. Atool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said tool carrier and saidworkpiece holder each have an upper horizontal traverse element; saidconnection connects said traverse elements of said tool carrier and saidworkpiece holder.
 4. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: saidconnection is placed eccentrically with respect to one of said toolcarrier and said workpiece holder.
 5. A tool in accordance with claim 1,wherein: said connection is placed in an area of a longitudinal side ofsaid support.
 6. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said toolcarrier includes side cheeks; said workpiece holder includes a traverseelement; said connection is a shaped structure with two legs connectedto said side cheeks of said tool carrier, and said shaped structureincludes another leg connected with said traverse element of said workpiece holder.
 7. A tool in accordance with claim 6, wherein: said sidecheeks of said tool carrier are substantially vertical and said two legsare connected to an upper end of said vertical side cheeks of said toolcarrier; said traverse element of said workpiece holder is at an upperend of said workpiece holder.
 8. A tool in accordance with claim 1,wherein: another tool carrier is mounted on said support on a side ofsaid work piece holder opposite said tool carrier; another connectionconnects said workpiece holder to said another tool carrier to form saidsingle stable unit.
 9. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: saidplurality of orthogonal directions includes three orthogonal directions;said connection is in a form of a bar.
 10. A tool in accordance withclaim 1, wherein: said tool carrier and said workpiece holder each havea traverse element which is substantially parallel to said support, saidtraverse elements are positioned on a side of respective said toolcarrier and said workpiece opposite to said support; said connectionconnects said traverse elements of said tool carrier and said workpieceholder, said connection is placed eccentrically with respect to one ofsaid tool carrier and said workpiece holder, said connection is placedin an area of a longitudinal side of said support, said connection is ashaped structure with two legs connected to said tool carrier, and saidshaped structure includes another leg connected with said traverseelement of said work piece holder; another tool carrier is mounted onsaid support on a side of said work piece holder opposite said toolcarrier; another connection connects said workpiece holder to saidanother tool carrier to form said single stable unit; said plurality oforthogonal directions includes three orthogonal directions; saidconnection is in a form of a bar.
 11. A tool in accordance with claim 1,wherein. said tool carrier and said workpiece holder are rectangularshaped.
 12. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said connectionis rigidly connected to said tool carrier and to said workpiece bolder.13. A tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said support has twolongitudinal sides and said connection is placed in an area of both saidlongitudinal sides of said support.
 14. A tool for cutting of aworkpiece, the tool comprising: a support; a tool carrier mounted onsaid support; a work spindle connected to said tool carrier; a pluralityof slides movably connecting said work spindle to said tool carrier in aplurality of substantially orthogonal directions; a workpiece holdermounted on said support, said tool carrier and said workpiece holdereach having a traverse element which is substantially parallel to saidsupport, said traverse elements are positioned on a side of respectivesaid tool carrier and said workpiece opposite to said support; aconnection connecting said workpiece holder to said tool carrier to forma single stable unit, said connection connects said traverse elements ofsaid tool carrier and said workpiece holder.
 15. A tool for cutting of aworkpiece, the tool comprising: a support; a tool carrier mounted onsaid support; a work spindle connected to said tool carrier; a pluralityof slides movably connecting said work spindle to said tool carrier in aplurality of substantially orthogonal directions, said plurality oforthogonal directions includes three orthogonal directions; a workpieceholder mounted on said support, said tool carrier and said workpieceholder each having a traverse element which is substantially parallel tosaid support, said traverse elements are positioned on a side ofrespective said tool carrier and said workpiece opposite to saidsupport; a connection connecting said workpiece holder to said toolcarrier to form a single stable unit, said connection is in a form of abar.